The Structure of Sociological Theory

Book Details

• Author: Jonathan H. Turner

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: Revised and Enlarged

• ISBN: 9788170332664

• Pages: 512

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches

• Release Date: 01-01-1995

About the Book

The Structure of Sociological Theory by Jonathan H. Turner is a revised and enlarged edition that masterfully incorporates the latest developments in sociological thought. In this scholarly and encyclopaedic work, Dr. Turner delivers an in-depth analysis of the five major paradigms in sociology — functional, conflict, exchange, interactionist, and structural — offering both critical evaluations and philosophical insights.

Organised into five parts and twenty-two chapters, the book examines the evolution of key theoretical perspectives through the works of eminent scholars such as Talcott Parsons, Robert K. Merton, Niklas Luhmann, Ralf Dahrendorf, Jurgen Habermas, George C. Homans, Peter M. Blau, Herbert Blumer, Randall Collins, and Anthony Giddens. Turner’s global approach recognises theory as truly international, highlighting the convergence of various perspectives and the rise of an eclectic, pragmatic outlook in modern sociology.

Firmly believing that sociology can function as a “natural science,” Turner explores abstract principles and paradigms that explain the structure of social reality. His lucid and comprehensive presentation makes this volume stand apart from other works in the field, offering the maximum theoretical coverage in a single source.

A must-have for students, educators, and researchers, this book serves as both a reference and a guide to understanding the philosophical and substantive contours of modern sociological theory.